wip2121

Hey everyone;

The other day when I started up my car (2006 IS 250 RWD w/ 86k miles) I had the check engine light, check VSC and traction control light come on. I did some research on some common causes and found the most prevalent was a loose gas cap. I checked that and it was secured tightly (although I did get gas the previous evening).
I took my car to Autozone and had the DTC codes checked and the ones that popped up were p0300, p0301 and p0302. After the scan was done at Autozone the lights turned off and have not come back on (its been about a week since I got the codes pulled).
I have not noticed any issues or power reduction when I am driving the car. Perhaps I got some bad gas?
There is one one difference I have noticed since the time the light came on. When I first start the car it idles at a slightly higher RPM (in the 1000-1200) range. As soon as I put the car into either drive or reverse it drops to the 600-800 RPM range which is normal. It only idles at that higher RPM when it has been turned off for a while. For instance, if I drive the car then turn it off for a half hour at the grocery store or something, when I start it back up it idles at a normal RPM. Ultimately I think this may be a spark plug issue. Would you guys agree? If so, is this something pressing that I need to get done right away? I am heading out of town this weekend and am wondering if I need to get it looked at before then or not even drive it. It will be a couple hundred miles round trip.
Sorry if this is a bit long winded, first post on here. Thanks in advance for any and all advice you can provide!!

ELITech

Welcome to the forum, although I a by no means a senior member here.

To answer your question, you may have received a letter from Lexus regarding this issue.

Your car is eligible for a campaign called ZLA. We at the dealership call it a SPA campaign.

If the car is running rough, consuming oil, misfire codes, etc, you may be experiencing this concern due to excessive carbon buildup on top of the valves in the engine.

Do not be freaked out by this, because lots of IS250 owners fall under this common concern.

I recommend you take it to a dealership and let them know what you put on here. They will see if they can recreate a running rough concern, and if so they will rebuild the engine at no cost to you. Even if they can't duplicate it, there is still no cost to you as warranty time is paid for diagnosis.

Now this campaign is for 9 years/unlimited mileage from date of first use on the vehicle. So as long as the date of first use was less than 9 years ago, which being an '06 it should be fine, unless it was an early 2005 production date which then it may be getting close. Regardless, you should contact the dealer and schedule an appointment.

I hope this provides the information you were looking for, and again, welcome!

wip2121

Thanks for the response! That is a great tip about the 9 yr/unlimited mileage campaign. I called the dealership and they said that I would be covered.

In speaking with Lexus they said that it was likely gas cap issue since the light has not come back on. Also, the carbon build up tends to affect the idling when driving and not just briefly when the vehicle is first started. He did say they could look at it.

I think I am going to hold for now unless the issue gets worse or the lights come back on.

Thanks!

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

^I'd recommend a new OEM or Stant gas cap; I had gotten the same phantom CELs and ever since I replaced the old OE gas cap with a $5 Stant unit, I've not had a CEL return.

ELITech

I would have it looked at before your 9 years expires. p0300, p0301, p0302 are misfire codes which are related to the carbon buildup. I have some that set no codes but idle like crap, and I've had some that set codes that feel fine to the customer...

Just FYI

wip2121

That's a good point, I will have it checked out, just wanted to make sure that I would be ok through the weekend. If they cannot recreate the issue will I get billed for a diagnostic?

ELITech

No, you should not be billed. There is an op code that if they are unable to recreate the misfire/running rough issue, they get paid .6 warranty time...

wip2121

Thanks so much for you input. I am bringing it in today!